Tektronix RSA3408A Use and care manual

Technical Reference
RSA3408A
8 GHz Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer
Performance Verification and Specifications
077-0007-02
www.tektronix.com

Copyright ©Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its subsidiaries or
suppliers, and are protected by national copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication supercedes
that in all previously published material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
HIn North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
HWorldwide, visit www.tektronix.com to find contacts in your area.

Warranty 2
Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year
from the date of shipment. If any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either
will repair the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the
defective product. Parts, modules and replacement products used by Tektronix for warranty work may be new or
reconditioned to like new performance. All replaced parts, modules and products become the property of Tektronix.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the
warranty period and make suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for
packaging and shipping the defective product to the service center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid.
Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to a location within the country in which the
Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties, taxes, and any
other charges for products returned to any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate
maintenance and care. Tektronix shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting
from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair
damage resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; c) to repair any damage or malfunction
caused by the use of non-Tektronix supplies; or d) to service a product that has been modified or integrated with other
products when the effect of such modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX’
RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS WILL
NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES.

RSA3408A Technical Reference i
Table of Contents
General Safety Summary v...................................
Preface vii...................................................
Related Manuals vii.................................................
Contacting Tektronix viii.............................................
Performance Verification
Performance Verification Procedures 1--1.........................
Conventions 1--2....................................................
Brief Procedures 1--3...........................................
Functional Tests 1--4.................................................
Diagnostics 1--8.....................................................
Performance Tests 1--9.........................................
Prerequisites 1--10....................................................
Equipment Required 1--11..............................................
Frequency Checks 1--12................................................
Noise Sideband Checks 1--16...........................................
Amplitude Checks 1--19...............................................
Spurious Response Checks 1--31.........................................
Test Record 1--43.....................................................
Specifications
Performance Conditions 2--1...........................................
Electrical Characteristics 2--2..........................................
Physical Characteristics 2--16...........................................
Environmental Characteristics 2--16......................................
Digital IQ Output Connector Pin Assignment (Option 05 Only) 2--19...........

Table of Contents
ii RSA3408A Technical Reference
List of Figures
Figure 1--1: Spectrum of the calibration signal (100 MHz, --20 dBm) 1--5
Figure 1--2: Setup display 1--6...................................
Figure 1--3: Reference level setting and A/D overflow indicator 1--7....
Figure 1--4: Spectrogram display 1--7.............................
Figure 1--5: Diagnostic screen 1--8................................
Figure 1--6: Hookup for calibrating the power sensor 1--20............
Figure 1--7: Hookup for setting the signal generator output 1--20.......
Figure 1--8: Hookup for checking the absolute amplitude accuracy 1--21
Figure 2--1: Definition of the setup and hold time 2--15...............
Figure 2--2: Digital IQ output connector pin assignment 2--19.........

Table of Contents
RSA3408A Technical Reference iii
List of Tables
Table 1--1: Span and RBW 1--6..................................
Table 1--2: Internal diagnostic program 1--8.......................
Table 1--3: Test equipment 1--11..................................
Table 1--4: Level linearity test result 1--30..........................
Table 1--5: Spurious measurement 1--42...........................
Table 2--1: Frequency 2--2......................................
Table 2--2: Noise sideband 2--3..................................
Table 2--3: Input 2--4..........................................
Table 2--4: Amplitude 2--5......................................
Table 2--5: Spurious response 2--6...............................
Table 2--6: Acquisition 2--7.....................................
Table 2--7: Trigger 2--8.........................................
Table 2--8: RBW (Resolution Bandwidth) 2--9.....................
Table 2--9: Trace and display line 2--9............................
Table 2--10: Display 2--10.......................................
Table 2--11: Measurement function 2--10...........................
Table 2--12: Analog demodulation accuracy 2--10...................
Table2--13:Pulsemeasurement 2--11.............................
Table 2--14: Digital demodulation (Option 21 only) 2--11.............
Table 2--15: ACLR measurement (Option 27) 2--13..................
Table 2--16: Wireless LAN measurement (Option 29) 2--13............
Table 2--17: Controller 2--14.....................................
Table 2--18: External output connector 2--14.......................
Table 2--19: Power requirements 2--15.............................
Table 2--20: Physical characteristics 2--16..........................
Table 2--21: Environmental characteristics 2--16....................
Table 2--22: Certifications and compliances 2--17....................
Table 2--23: I OUTPUT connector pin assignment 2--19..............
Table 2--24: Q OUTPUT connector pin assignment 2--21.............

Table of Contents
iv RSA3408A Technical Reference

RSA3408A Technical Reference v
General Safety Summary
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to
this product or any products connected to it.
To avoid potential hazards, use this product only as specified.
Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures.
Use Proper Power Cord. To avoid fire hazard, use only the power cord specified
for this product.
Avoid Electric Overload. To avoid electric shock or fire hazard, do not apply a
voltage to a terminal that is outside the range specified for that terminal.
Avoid Electric Shock. To avoid injury or loss of life, do not connect or disconnect
probes or test leads while they are connected to a voltage source.
Ground the Product. This product is grounded through the grounding conductor
of the power cord. To avoid electric shock, the grounding conductor must be
connected to earth ground. Before making connections to the input or output
terminals of the product, ensure that the product is properly grounded.
Do Not Operate Without Covers. To avoid electric shock or fire hazard, do not
operate this product with covers or panels removed.
Do Not Operate in Wet/Damp Conditions. To avoid electric shock, do not operate
this product in wet or damp conditions.
Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere. To avoid injury or fire hazard, do not
operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.
Use Proper Power Source. Do not operate this product from a power source that
applies more than the voltage specified.
Provide Proper Ventilation. To prevent product overheating, provide proper
ventilation.
Do Not Operate With Suspected Failures. If you suspect there is damage to this
product, have it inspected by qualified service personnel.
Injury Precautions
Product Damage
Precautions

General Safety Summary
vi RSA3408A Technical Reference
Terms in this Manual. These terms may appear in this manual:
WARNING. Warning statements identify conditions or practices that could result
in injury or loss of life.
CAUTION. Caution statements identify conditions or practices that could result in
damage to this product or other property.
Terms on the Product. These terms may appear on the product:
DANGER indicates an injury hazard immediately accessible as you read the
marking.
WARNING indicates an injury hazard not immediately accessible as you read the
marking.
CAUTION indicates a hazard to property including the product.
Symbols on the Product. The following symbols may appear on the product:
Protective Ground
(Earth) Terminal
CAUTION
Refer to Manual
WARNING
High Voltage
Refer to the specifications section for a listing of certifications and compliances
that apply to this product.
Symbols and Terms
Certifications and
Compliances

RSA3408A Technical Reference vii
Preface
This is the Performance Verification for the RSA3408A 8 GHz Real-Time
Spectrum Analyzer. It contains procedures suitable for determining that the
analyzer functions, is adjusted properly, and meets the performance characteris-
ticsaswarranted.
This document also contains the specifications for the RSA3408A analyzer.
Related Manuals
The following documents relate to the use or service of the analyzer:
HThe RSA3408A User Manual describes how to operate your analyzer.
HThe RSA3408A Programmer Manual describes how to use a computer to
control the analyzer through the GPIB interface.
HThe RSA3408A Service Manual provides information for maintaining and
servicing your analyzer to the module level.

Preface
viii RSA3408A Technical Reference

Performance Verification

RSA3408A Technical Reference 1-1
Performance Verification Procedures
Two types of Performance Verification procedures can be performed on this
product; Brief Procedures and Performance Tests. You may not need to perform
all of these procedures, depending on what you want to accomplish.
HTo rapidly confirm that the analyzer functions properly and was adjusted
properly, do the brief procedures under Functional Tests and Diagnostics,
which begin on page 1--3.
Advantages: These procedures are quick to do, require no external
equipment or signal sources, and perform functional and accuracy testing to
provide high confidence that the analyzer will perform properly. They can be
used as a quick check before making a series of important measurements.
HIf more extensive confirmation of performance is desired, do the Perfor-
mance Tests, beginning on page 1--9, after doing the Functional Tests and
Diagnostics just referenced.
Advantages: These procedures add direct checking of warranted specifica-
tions.
Disadvantages: They require more time to perform and suitable test
equipment is required. (Refer to Equipment Required on page 1--11.)

Performance Verification
1-2 RSA3408A Technical Reference
Conventions
Throughout these procedures, the following conventions apply:
HEach test procedure uses the following general format:
Title of Test
Equipment Required
Prerequisites
Procedure
HEach procedure consists of as many steps, substeps, and subparts as required
to do the test. Steps, substeps, and subparts are sequenced as follows:
1. First Step
a. First Substep
HFirst Subpart
HSecond Subpart
b. Second Substep
2. Second Step
HInstructions for menu selection follow this format:
FRONTPANELKEY>Side Menu Key >Submenu Key.
For example, “Press MODE: DEMOD >Digital Demod >Constellation”.
“MODE: DEMOD” indicates the DEMOD key in the MODE menu area on
the front panel.
HIn steps and substeps, the lead-in statement in italics tells you what to do,
and the instructions that follow tell you how to do it.
The example step below is telling you to set the analyzer controls by
pressing the specified key sequence.
Set the RSA3408A analyzer controls:
Press MODE: DEMOD >Digital Demod >Constellation.
STOP. The symbol at the left is accompanied by information you must read to do
the procedure properly.

RSA3408A Technical Reference 1-3
Brief Procedures
The Functional Tests use the internal calibration signal as a test-signal source for
further verifying that the analyzer functions properly.
The Diagnostics use internal routines to verify that the instrument functions
properly and passes the internal circuit tests.
The following section provides the details.

Brief Procedures
1-4 RSA3408A Technical Reference
Functional Tests
The analyzer has a built-in calibration signal source with an amplitude of
approximately --20 dBm and frequency of 100 MHz. Using this source, perform
this quick functional check to verify that your instrument is operating correctly.
Equipment
Required
None
Prerequisites Power on the analyzer and allow a 20 minute warm-up before doing
this procedure.
1. Initialize the analyzer:
a. Press the SYSTEM key on the front panel.
b. Press the Reset All to Factory Defaults side key.
2. Check the system version and options:
a. Press the SYSTEM key on the front panel.
b. Press the Versions and Installed Options... side key.
c. Check the version in the “Main System” field and the options in the
option table.
3. Check the display brightness:
a. Press the Cancel-Back (top) side key.
b. Press the Display Brightness side key.
c. Change the value from 0 to 100% using the general purpose knob to
check that the brightness changes normally.
4. Display spectrum of the calibration signal:
a. Press S/A >Spectrum Analyzer.
b. Press the PRESET key on the front panel to reset the analyzer.
c. Press INPUT >Signal Input Port... >Cal100M.
The spectrum of the calibration signal appears.
d. Check that “INPUT: CAL” and “FREE RUN” are displayed in the status
indicator at the upper right of the screen (see Figure 1--1).

Brief Procedures
RSA3408A Technical Reference 1-5
Marker readout
Status indicator
Marker
Figure 1- 1: Spectrum of the calibration signal (100 MHz, - 20 dBm)
5. Check the center frequency and peak amplitude using the marker:
a. Press the PEAK key on the front panel to place the marker on the peak
(see Figure 1--1).
b. Check the marker readouts on screen. The frequency should be 100 MHz
and the amplitude should be approximately --20 dBm.
c. Press MARKER SETUP >Markers >Off.
Check that the marker disappears.
6. Check the RBW (Resolution Bandwidth) while changing the span setting.
a. Press the SPAN key on the front panel.
b. Confirm that the span is 36 MHz and the RBW is 100 kHz in the setup
display on the upper part of the screen (see Figure 1--2).

Brief Procedures
1-6 RSA3408A Technical Reference
Span RBW
Setup display
Span setting
Figure 1- 2: Setup display
c. Using the general purpose knob, change the span setting as listed in
Table 1--1 and check that the RBW is displayed correctly.
Table 1- 1: Span and RBW
Span RBW
36 MHz 100 kHz
15 MHz 80 kHz
5MHz 20 kHz
100 kHz 500 Hz
1kHz 20 Hz
d. Using the numeric keypad, set the span back to 36 MHz.
(Press 3>6>MHz, in that order, on the keypad.)
7. Check the reference level:
a. Press the AMPLITUDE key on the front panel.
b. Make sure that the reference level is set to 0 dBm with the Ref Level
side key. Check that 0 dBm is displayed on the upper left side of the
graticule (see Figure 1--3).
c. Use the general purpose knob to set the reference level to --30 dBm.
d. Confirm that A/D OVERFLOW is indicated in the red box at the top
center of the screen. Make sure that --30 dBm is displayed on the upper
left side of the graticule and that the spectrum waveform is distorted as
shown in Figure 1--3.
e. Using the numeric keypad, set the reference level back to 0 dBm.
(Press 0>ENTER, in that order, on the keypad.)